United Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its international routes with the launch of a non-stop service connecting San Francisco to Adelaide, South Australia. The inaugural flight is scheduled to take off on December 11, 2025, operating three times a week as part of a seasonal service.
This new route marks a milestone, as it will be the first direct connection between Adelaide and the United States. With this launch, United will become the only airline offering non-stop services to four Australian cities from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which already includes Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Flight Details and Experience
The service will utilize United’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, providing passengers with a comfortable travel experience across its 257 seats. This includes the United Polaris business class, Premium Plus premium economy, and standard economy cabins. The flight will depart from SFO on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 23:05, arriving in Adelaide at 09:30 two days later, after crossing the international date line. The return flights will leave Adelaide on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 14:55, landing back in San Francisco on the same day at 11:15.
Travelers can expect the nearly 15-hour journey to provide the fastest route from the US to popular attractions in South Australia, including Kangaroo Island, the Eyre Peninsula, and the renowned Barossa Valley.
Significance for Adelaide and Beyond
The introduction of this route has been met with enthusiasm from local officials. Brenton Cox, managing director of Adelaide Airport, emphasized its importance, stating, “Adelaide will now be connected directly to an entirely new continent. This is a core connection in our aviation network vision that has been decades in the making. This service will directly benefit business, investment, and our broader tourism economy.”
Previously, travelers wishing to fly between the US and Adelaide faced lengthy stopovers at other Australian airports, such as Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney. The new non-stop service, which will operate until the end of March 2026, allows passengers from cities like Chicago, Washington, Denver, and Seattle to reach Adelaide with just one stop.
The demand for this route is anticipated to be strong on both sides of the Pacific, as Adelaide travelers can now easily access the San Francisco Bay area and connect to United’s extensive domestic and international network. This route to Adelaide also enhances United’s presence in Oceania, complementing its existing services to Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland.
In addition to the Adelaide route, United has recently announced daily flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, both of which will be serviced via Hong Kong, further expanding its international offerings.
Adelaide itself is home to approximately 1.4 million residents, forming the majority of South Australia’s 1.8 million population. The airport, located just 6 kilometers from the city centre, served over 8.7 million passengers in 2025. While the airport has previously lacked a direct link to the US, it boasts a well-established international presence with connections to major Asian and Middle Eastern destinations.
United Airlines’ passengers traveling to Adelaide can also take advantage of the airline’s code-share partnership with Virgin Australia. This collaboration offers seamless connections to various domestic destinations within Australia, including non-stop flights to cities such as Alice Springs, Canberra, and Perth.
The introduction of direct flights to Adelaide represents not only a significant development for United Airlines but also a vital link for South Australia, enhancing tourism and business opportunities in the region.
